Symantec: For Well-Managed and Secured Information

Regardless of size, enterprises face the challenge of well-managed and secured information. Since information is the lifeblood of any kind of business, the storage company Symantec is in the best position to provide the total solution for increasing amounts of information.

Founded in 1982, Symantec has slowly evolved to become one of the leading software companies in the world. With operations in over 50 countries, Symantec employs over 18,500 employees.

Over the years, Symantec has focused on utilizing its market strengths to accelerate new opportunities for growth. Symantec recognizes that technology evolves at such a fast pace so that the company did well in integrating its products with new technologies to provide integrated solutions that address the ever growing needs of a well-managed and secured data.

Symantec also recognizes that the threat in landscape is also evolving with the evolution of technologies. In response, Symantec has focused its R&D efforts on virtualization and SaaS that seek to reduce costs and solve the complexities of customer needs.

In Southern California, a Health Care Beacon

A rare combination of public and private, technology and human resources, the health care industry can prove a challenge for emerging ventures. Success depends on a variety of factors, such as funding, long-term strategy, specialized personnel, strong client relations, and—perhaps above all else—dexterous leadership. A bright symbol of all these aspects at work, AltaMed commands a venerable 40-year history in affordable health care for those facing economic hardship.

When President and CEO Castulo de la Rocha took the reins in 1977, AltaMed (then La Clinica Familiar del Barrio) served patients from one site and employed only three people. By the end of the year, de la Rocha had secured the clinic status as a Community Health Center, a milestone in growth. He continued to draft proposals and apply for funding, which resulted in the purchase of the Bella Vista Hospital, a contract to implement a Substance Abuse Program, and the receipt of a $1 million grant. AltaMed continued to expand with programs for seniors, those coping with tuberculosis, youths, and individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. For his achievements at the head of the venture, Cástulo de la Rocha garnered the Gold Medallion for Public Health, the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the National Association of Health Centers’ Grassroots Hall of Fame. At present, AltaMed maintains 43 sites throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, and performs more than 930,000 patient visits each year. 

Snecma: Setting the Pace for the Future of Aircrafts and Rockets

Snecma SA is a multinational company that manufactures aircraft and rocket engines. Based in Courcouronnes, France, Snecma is involved in the design, development, manufacture, and selling of engines used in civil and military aircrafts, satellites and launch vehicles. The company also provides support services for aircrafts operators like airlines and the military.

Before the name Snecma was officially adopted by the company as its corporate name, it used to stand as an acronym for Société nationale d'études et de construction de moteurs d'aviation (or National Company for the Design and Construction of Aviation Engines in English). On April 27, 2004, the name was changed to Snecma.

In 1945, the jet engine technology of BMW decided to form Snecma in response to the nationalization of the French aircraft engine manufacturer Gnome & Rhône. Since then, Snecma has been producing jet engines for many European nations and other countries in the west.

Snecma sealed its position as one of the leaders in the industry through joint ventures with other aircraft engine manufacturers. In 1961 for instance, Snecma partnered with Bristol Siddeley in a joint venture to produce Concorde’s power plant, which would later be known as Rolls Royce/Snecma Olympus 593.

In 1970, Snecma and Messier decided to unify their landing gear businesses in a merger. The merger was officially launched in 1974 with the formation of Messier-Hispano. In 1973, Snecma held the control of Messier-Hispano. In 1977, further consolidations were made with the landing gear business with the formation of Messier-Hispano-Bugatti, which would later be known as Messier-Bugatti.

A new merger was formed by Snecma in its landing gear business in 1994 in a merger with the British TI Group. The merger created Messier-Dowty. Snecma controlled Messier-Dowty in 1998.

Snecma Services was formed in 1999 to consolidate Snecma’s MRO (for maintenance, repair and overhaul) operations. Other recent corporate decisions made by Snecma included the creation of Hurel-Hispano (now known as Aircelle) in 2001 that consolidated the group’s engine nacelle and thrust reverser businesses; and, a merger with Sagem that formed SAFRAN.

Sharp Manufacturing: Meeting Worldwide Needs of Electronics and Appliances

Sharp Manufacturing Systems Corporation is a multinational Japanese company that focuses on designing and manufacturing electronics products. The company was established in September 1912. Since that time, Sharp has grown to become a world leader in electronics.

Sharp innovative products have constantly streamed the electronics market. Beginning with its first product, the Ever-Sharp Mechanical Pencil from which the company got its corporate name, Sharp has produced and delivered consumer electronics products that have changed the lives of millions of people, such as TV and radio sets, electronic calculators, LCD projectors and solar cells.

Innovation is a continuing business practice at Sharp because the company has focused efforts on research and development as business philosophy. The company believes that the possibility for development is endless and that its systems are in place to meet the worldwide need of electronics and appliances.

Sharp is based in Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan. It has more than 55,000 employees. It is the fourth largest producer of TV sets in the world.

Scania: Heavy Equipment for Today and the Next Generations

Scania is a global manufacturer and seller of trucks, buses and other heavy automobiles. It operates in more than 100 countries worldwide and its manufacturing facilities are located in Latin America and Europe. The company also provides financial services to other industries.

Scania has close to 37,500 workers, 16,000 of which are doing the selling and support services through Scania’s worldwide subsidiaries. Approximately 12,400 of these workers are doing the selling and administrative support services, the rest of the workers are doing research and development in the facility located at Södertälje. Also located in Södertälje is Scania’s purchasing department, which is also supported by the procurement offices located in Russia, China, the US, the Czech Republic and Poland.

Since its founding in 1891, Scania, by far, has produced and delivered over 1.4 million units of trucks, buses and other heavy automobiles. After more than 100 years, Scania is known today as a world leader in the industry. Its success in this industry has allowed the company to enter the business of producing industrial and marine engines. In spite of the attractive business surrounding this industry, Scania has focused its resources in the production of heavy transport.

Through all the worldwide economic regression the company has struggled with, Scania has shown good resolve as evidenced by its earnings. For over 70 years, Scania has been reporting profit each year.

The years ahead are uncertain but the innovators, inventors, managers and workers who have worked with Scania for the past century has placed the company in a position that would enable it to stand the test of time.

The technologies of the 21^st century have brought enormous changes in the truck and bus driver of the past. Scania and its products are there to make all truck and bus drivers of today make maneuvering heavy automobiles easy and convenient.

Saint-Gobain: Helping Build Habitats for the Homeless

Saint-Gobain is the leader in construction markets and designs in the world. It is involved in the manufacture and distribution of building materials and in providing solutions that meet the increasing demand for energy efficient and environment friendly construction materials.

Present in over 60 countries worldwide and employing close to 163,000 workers, Saint-Gobain provides innovative solutions that address the critical growth, energy and environment challenges today. The ultimate goal is to provide sustainable habitats today and for the generations to come.

Saint-Gobain’s innovations are aimed at producing comfortable, sustainable and cost-efficient homes. Among the innovations the company has created are self-cleaning windows, insulation systems, photovoltaic glasses and water supply systems.

Since its founding, Saint-Gobain is consistent in inventing products that contribute to the improving quality of life worldwide. Being among the top industrial companies in the world, Saint-Gobain is positioned to deploy its technological knowledge as it partners with the most prestigious universities, colleges and laboratories.

Panasonic: From a Manufacturer of Duplex Lamp Sockets to a Diversified Multinational Electronics Company

Panasonic Corporation is a multinational electronics company based in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. When it was founded by Konosuke Matsushita in 1918, the company sold duplex lamp sockets but eventually grew to become one of Japan’s largest electronics manufacturers. Today, Panasonic is known as the fifth largest TV manufacturer in the world and is ranked among the top 20 sellers of semiconductors in the world.

When the company was incorporated in 1935, its corporate name was Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. The company changed its name to Panasonic Corporation on October 1, 2008 to conform to its most popular brand, Panasonic.

From selling duplex lamp sockets in 1918, Panasonic sold bicycle lamps in 1927. These lamps carried the brand name “National”. Until the end of the World War II, factories in Japan and other Asian cities also produced appliances and electrical components aside from National bicycle lamps.

When the War was over, Panasonic regrouped to keep pace with the post-War economic boom in Japan. The demand for bicycles, radios and appliances was high. Toshio Iue, Matsushita’s brother-in-law, founded Sanyo to subcontract with Panasonic the production of components. However, when Sanyo grew, it became Panasonic’s competitor. The competition was settled when Sanyo became Panasonic’s subsidiary in December 2009.

Panasonic started producing TV sets in 1961 following Matsushita’s meeting with dealers in the US. Initially, Panasonic produced Panasonic TV sets for US markets but the trading eventually expanded to Europe in 1979. Panasonic ventured in other lines of home appliances like rice cookers. When the growth became inevitable, manufacturing facilities were opened in different parts of the world.

In 1965, Panasonic ventured into the production of high fidelity audio speakers, which carried the brand Technics. Through the decades that followed, Panasonic continued producing specialized electronic products in specific niches like shortwave radios, stereo receivers and CD players.

Through the 21^st century, Panasonic replaced its analog TVs with digital TVs. Panasonic merged with its competitor, Sanyo. Panasonic also ventured into other business ventures including production of high-density optic discs that replaced the DVD and SD memory cards.